Drag Chain Cable Management

[andrewwong2000]

I built my 60120 using the supplied 75x25mm & 50x25mm drag chains. I have a total of 12 cables running in my main drag chain (4 x 6mm encoder cables, 4 x 10mm servo power cables, 3 x 6mm proximity sensor cables z, x+, x-, 1 x 15mm VFD flex cable).
It's pretty crowded in there !

Looking at the more expensive and industrial drag chain solutions ( I got quoted US$600 for a 150x30mm chain!) you can have 2 layers of cabling, segment the wiring so it doesn't tangle up and cross over.

Wondering if 3D printing the following inserts, or cutting them out of a foam material is an effective way to avoid problems of cable wear, binding cables etc ?




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[andrewwong2000]

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[andrewwong2000]

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[ger21]

One more reason to get a 3D printer.

[dgage]

Love it. Had no clue where that thing was going and thought, how does he connect them to make a drag chain but now it is clear. Nice!

Can you take a picture with the drag chain support popped up and away? And could you post a picture with some general dimensions such as length, width, thickness, and dimensions of the wire channels?

Thanks for sharing. Really good idea.

[andrewwong2000]

I will put the STL files on thingiverse later. Wasn’t sure if people were interested but kept going with the idea.

I’ve now got inserts for the 50mm wide chain and the 75mm wide chain so you can do the lot.

I’ve put about 15 of them on the 75mm chain and the spacing seems to work ok.




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[andrewwong2000]

Here's the link:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3417099

[dgage]

Thanks so much Andrew. Looks great! I've already downloaded and will comment when I've had a chance to print.

[andrewwong2000]

Here’s the little ones




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[Gary-Wiant]

Is there room to add any additional cables? I have an led ring on my dust shoe so I can light up my spindle & see what is going on

[andrewwong2000]

If you’re using steppers you don’t have encoder and power cables per motor.. should have plenty of space on the 75mm insert

There’s a spare wire slot on the 50mm insert even for me.

There’s a detailed info on my thingiverse page


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[Gary-Wiant]

I don't have a 3d printer yet so I'll need to get a quote on someone printing them for me, unless they can be routed

[andrewwong2000]

I don't have a 3d printer yet so I'll need to get a quote on someone printing them for me, unless they can be routed

I don't think it would be too hard to machine this out of a block of nylon.
Let me know if you have trouble figuring out dimensions for what you need.

But on Thingiverse someone can print them for you (for a fee).

Andrew

[retrosmith]

Dear God. My cable-management fetish is... well, let's not go there. Just a HUGE thank you!!!!

[andrewwong2000]

Glad it’s been useful to you.. also found some 4080 profile cable clips on thingiverse that are brilliant for routing cables


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[andrewwong2000]

And I also have made a bolt on tray for your touch plate and an Xbox controller holder


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[Gary-Wiant]

I tried to sign in to thingaverse on my phone but when it comes to inputting my birthday, I need to flip from month to month and it would take a long long time to get back to 1967.

Has anyone created a bracket to mount their 4" flexable dust hose to the side of the Z bracket?

[andrewwong2000]

Something like this ?




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[ericks]

Wow that is some dust extraction!!!

[Gary-Wiant]

I was thinking more of a C shaped clamp that mounts to the Z and the hose fits Into but doesn't and much weight to the Z. Also I use the dust shoe from Kent CNC